This biopic of eccentric billionaire recluse Howard Hughes (DiCaprio) centres on his life from the mid 1920s through to the 1940s.
During this time, Hughes became renowned for directing and producing Hollywood movies and test flying innovative planes he designed and created.
It also focuses on his relationships with Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn (Blanchett) and screen goddess Ava Gardner (Beckinsale).

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

Scorsese has another masterpiece on his hands which could nudge him closer to that elusive Oscar.
The Aviator is a cinematographic achievement. It is frame perfect and sound is skilfully used to reinforce Hughes’ fear of the limelight and the paparazzi.
Hughes’ madness and obsessive compulsive behaviour is revealed slowly but frightingly by Leo in his best performance to date: another possible Oscar nominee. Blanchett is extraordinary as Hepburn capturing her fierce spirit, accent and mannerisms to perfection.
But the film seems to ignore suggestions that he was bisexual, anti-semitic and generally ruthless.

THE AVIATOR opens on 26 December 2004 (in London’s West End – 6 January
2005 elsewhere)